Before we get too deep into my initial review of the HopChop, let me preface this with some information about my experiences with Rhops....

It has been quite rough to say the least.... hundreds of dollars down the drain. From different cutting jigs to "professional" installs from big names. Odds are good if there is a jig, install method, cutting technique, I have probably tired it with some varying degrees of success/failure.

Some required tools you will need to use this system:
Calipers
Safety Blades
Binder clips/Magnets
Silicone oil
Loctite 401 or similar super glue with rubber bonding properties.

So lets start with the MK4 Guide and Blade fixture. The primary portion of the HopChop.

HopChop Guide and Blade Fixture

So my guide is in Shapeway's matte translucent plastic (Guide) and white plastic (Blade fixture). Fitment between these was quite tight, some P400 sandpaper later, and its a good snug fit requiring a small amount of effort to turn. Which is what I want. While it does have an o-ring groove in it, I did not need to use it. Its tight enough without it.

While I do have the correct magnets for the blade fixture, I opted to not use them and just use some small binder clips instead. With only the magnets, I kept getting blade alignment problems and my patches coming out tapered. So binder clips was the answer. No more tapered patches. You may need to shave a little plastic off of the blade fixture in some small spots to get your blades to fit. I have 2 different brands of safety blades and they fit differently. One is a little loose, the other is tight. You mileage will vary depending on the blade you use.

Using the caliper and the online calculator, found here, getting the cut depth was easy. Setting it on the jig, little more difficult due to how the scale on the side is calibrated. (This can be adjusted by making the OD of the fixture and guide larger, however this makes the tool larger and more costly.) I had it down in 2 tries. (Took quite a few cuts however as I was working out the blade taper.)

You will want to use lube on the blade as directed in the videos. Cuts are far better with lube then without. However both ways are acceptable from my limited testing so far.

The HopMiter

Tool number 2 in the collection. This one did not need anything major done with it, other then a little sandpaper through the blade guide. Working the slide loosens it up.

Pretty straight forward. Works as anticipated. Though you need to go a hair longer then measured otherwise your patch is a hair short, but not unusable.

There is an update I would make to this rig to make it a bit more useful, and that is to make the uprights able to accept full size tubing. This is to be able to make a clean straight cut on the tube. I would also add a threaded rod and make the travel tied to the rod for more precision.

The HopPlane

This is my least favorite tool in the collection. My experience so far is that it leaves an undesirable surface finish on the patch externally. This could be from the fact I did not lube the blade of it prior to the cut. I will update this later. I do not have any input to make this better.

Initial conclusion

I think this series of tools are quite useful. All except maybe the Plane. Makes cutting rhop patches of various depths and sizes easy enough. Which in my experience, a massive chunk of the problem with rhops. If you are only doing 1 or 2 barrels then you are better left with a pre-made patch as investment is a fair bit. But if you are a tech, and have multiple guns, this may be a decent investment.

So I have done a number of them now. Still tweaking the patches, but overall.....

2 thumbs up from this guy.

In my M4, my groupings have tightened up quite a bit and my shots have a flatter trajectory. (These are close range observations, take these with a grain of salt.)

Lubing the blades are a 100% must! They do not need a lot of lube, a q-tip/cotton swab with some silicon oil on it will work fine. give the blades a wipe on both sides and your good to go. Makes the cuts far nicer.

I still for the most part stand with my initial thoughts. The Plane is more useful with lube and leaves a better finish when lubed that I feel is acceptable. Though I think grinding will yield better results. (or do both.)

So the rhopped VSR VS an ML? Ok I can do that. Just need a bridged barrel for that. I think Ill grab a couple stock barrels off of Evike for $12. So that way no one can bitch about the results. (I am sure some still will.) I may just buy a lambda 05 and square off against my 05 PDI for shits and giggles. Think I am going to do just that...

__________________Don't underestimate me. I know more than I say, think more than I speak, and notice more than you realize.